“Fast-growing” on a plant label usually means the plant can grow quickly when conditions suit it. Indoors, those conditions are mostly light, warmth and the time of year. The same pothos can add long new vines by a bright window in summer and barely change in a dim corner in January.
Below are the houseplants that the NC State Extension Plant Toolbox lists with a rapid growth rate, then what controls that speed and what to expect once a fast grower takes off.
How we chose these plants
The NC State Plant Toolbox gives each species a growth-rate field of slow, medium or rapid. That rating describes the species in general, often as a landscape plant. Rubber plant and English ivy are rated rapid partly because they grow into large trees and vines outdoors. Indoors, every plant on this list grows more slowly than in the wild.
Rapid growers (NC State)
Light ratings come from the University of Illinois Extension houseplant chart, converted to lux (one foot-candle is about 10.8 lux). Where Illinois does not list a plant, the light note is from NC State. Pet status is from the ASPCA unless noted.
| Plant | Light | Water | Size indoors (NC State) | Cats and dogs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) | Low, about 810 lux | Keep slightly moist; less in winter | Stems to 1.8 m (6 ft) | Toxic |
| Monstera (Monstera deliciosa) | Moderate brightness, no direct sun | Let the top quarter to third dry | 1.8–2.4 m (6–8 ft) | Toxic |
| Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides) | Bright, indirect | Moist, well-drained | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) | NC State: safe for pets |
| Rubber plant (Ficus elastica) | Medium, about 1,600 lux | Regular, not soggy; less from fall to late winter | 0.6–3 m (2–10 ft) with training | NC State: problem for cats and dogs |
| English ivy (Hedera helix) | High or bright, about 3,200 lux | Missouri: constant moisture prevents leaf drop | Long vines | Toxic |
| Inch plant (Tradescantia zebrina) | Medium, about 1,600 lux | Let the soil dry between waterings | 15–23 cm tall, spreads to 61 cm (2 ft) | Toxic (ASPCA, T. fluminensis) |
| Grape ivy (Cissus rhombifolia) | Medium, about 1,600 lux | Dry between waterings; less in winter | Vine to 3 m (10 ft) outdoors | Non-toxic |
| Polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) | Bright, filtered light | Not specified by NC State | 30–61 cm (1–2 ft) | Non-toxic |
| Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) | Low, about 810 lux | Never let it dry out | 61–91 cm (2–3 ft) | Non-toxic |
| Wax plant (Hoya carnosa) | High or bright, about 3,200 lux | Let the soil dry between waterings | Climbing vine | Non-toxic |
| String of hearts (Ceropegia woodii) | Bright, indirect | Dry completely between waterings | Hangs about 0.9 m (3 ft) | Not listed by ASPCA |
| Small-leaf spiderwort (Tradescantia fluminensis) | Bright, indirect; shade from afternoon sun | Moist, well-drained | 15 cm tall, about 61 cm (2 ft) wide | Toxic |
Two popular plants are missing on purpose. NC State rates pothos and spider plant as medium growers. Clemson HGIC still calls spider plant fast-growing, reaching 0.6–0.9 m (2–3 ft) long in a hanging basket. Both can fill a pot within a season in good light.
For contrast, NC State rates ZZ plant, cast iron plant and parlor palm as slow. Clemson notes most cacti grow only a few inches a year as houseplants. If you want a plant that stays the same size on a shelf, those are better choices.
What “fast” depends on
Light
Light is the energy for growth. University of Missouri Extension says light ranges indicate the minimum a plant needs, and growth is often best at the higher end. Our light requirements chart shows where each level occurs in a room.
Stretching is not the same as growing well. Missouri lists long gaps between leaves, smaller new leaves, pale stems and yellowing lower leaves as signs of too little light. NC State notes inch plant drops lower leaves and loses colour in low light, and polka dot plant turns leggy and faded.
Warmth
Iowa State notes that houseplants moved outside for summer put on lots of new growth in the warmth and higher light. NC State gives a warm range of 16–29 °C (60–85 °F) for monstera. Cold slows or harms many of these plants: NC State keeps rubber plant above 13 °C (55 °F) and grape ivy above 10 °C (50 °F).
Season
Clemson HGIC explains that indoor plants grow mainly in spring and summer, when light is stronger and days are warmer and longer. In the short days of winter, many plants with little or no artificial light enter a resting stage. Do not fertilize a resting plant. Illinois Extension adds that light, temperature, humidity, pot size and potting mix all change how fast a plant grows and how much water it uses.
Feeding and water
Fertilizer supports growth that light allows; it cannot replace light. Clemson notes that plants in low interior light have reduced fertilizer needs. NC State warns that over-feeding spider plant reduces plantlets. See our fertilizer schedule for timing.
What to expect from a fast grower
- Pruning. NC State advises pruning pothos and heartleaf philodendron stems to keep plants bushy, pinching inch plant and small-leaf spiderwort to prevent legginess, and pruning grape ivy to shape at any time.
- Support. Monstera needs a sturdy support so stems do not break (NC State). See our monstera care guide.
- More water in summer. A plant in active growth uses more water. Check the mix rather than watering on a fixed day, as Illinois Extension recommends.
- Repotting. Fast growers fill pots sooner. Illinois Extension advises moving up one pot size, 2.5–5 cm (1–2 in) wider; see our repotting signs guide.
- Outgrowing the space. Clemson notes rapid new growth is often undesirable because plants may outgrow their locations.
How to choose a fast-growing houseplant
- Start with your light. In a low-light room, heartleaf philodendron and Boston fern are rated for low light by Illinois. For bright rooms, hoya and English ivy fit.
- Decide whether you want trailing or upright growth. Vines (philodendron, ivy, inch plant, grape ivy, string of hearts) grow length fast. Monstera and rubber plant grow height and need floor space.
- Check pets. Grape ivy, polka dot plant, Boston fern, hoya and Chinese money plant are the pet-safe options here.
- Plan the pruning. A fast grower in good light needs trimming every season.
See also our heartleaf philodendron care guide, Chinese money plant guide, rubber plant guide, hoya guide, Boston fern guide and the tradescantia hub and English ivy hub.
References
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Philodendron hederaceum, Monstera deliciosa, Pilea peperomioides, Ficus elastica, Hedera helix, Tradescantia zebrina, Tradescantia fluminensis, Cissus rhombifolia, Hypoestes phyllostachya, Nephrolepis exaltata, Hoya carnosa, Ceropegia woodii, Epipremnum aureum, Chlorophytum comosum, Zamioculcas zamiifolia, Aspidistra elatior, Chamaedorea elegans
- University of Illinois Extension: Houseplants: Lighting; Houseplants: Watering; Houseplants: Get Started
- University of Missouri Extension, D. H. Trinklein (rev. 2016): Lighting Indoor Houseplants, G6515
- Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC: Indoor Plants: Cleaning, Fertilizing, Containers and Light Requirements, HGIC 1450; Spider Plant, HGIC 1513; Indoor Cacti, HGIC 1502
- Iowa State University Extension: Moving Indoor Plants Outside for the Summer
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Toxic and non-toxic plant list